[Editor’s note: Off the Block will preview each NCAA Division I-II men’s volleyball conference leading up to the 2019 season opener on Dec. 30. This conference previews examines every team in the MIVA.]

The MIVA has all the makings this season for the most chaotic conference in college men’s volleyball.

[Editor’s note: Off the Block in collaboration with the EIVA is presenting The Top 15 EIVA Non-Conference Matches. This list spotlights the best non-conference matches scheduled for EIVA teams in 2019 and will be the first time several of these matches have been publicly announced. Princeton versus Lewis is ranked No. 14 on the list.]

An AVCA National Assistant Coach of the Year recipient will switch sides in one of the top in-state rivalries in college men’s volleyball.

Matt McCarthy will depart Lewis to become the Loyola associate head coach, the Ramblers announced on Monday.

McCarthy has spent the last nine seasons on the Flyers coaching staff and helped guide Lewis to three NCAA Tournament appearances. In addition, McCarthy was named the National Assistant Coach of the Year in 2015 as Lewis advanced to the NCAA Tournament finals.

Lewis in each season with McCarthy won at least 19 wins and had players earn 19 All-American selections.

“Matt has proven to be one of the best coaches in our game and we couldn’t be more excited to have him on our staff,” Loyola coach Mark Hulse said in a statement. “He’s found success both as a coach and as a player and he has a true passion to learn, innovate and develop young men and volleyball players in a mission-driven environment.”

Along with his college coaching experience, McCarthy was an assistant coach for the U.S. Men’s Junior National Team at the FIVB U21 World Championship last year.

McCarthy before joining the Lewis coaching staff was a two-time All-MIVA middle attacker and helped lead Ball State to the MIVA Tournament finals in back-to-back seasons. He also was in the conference’s top five with more than a .400 attack percentage in both his junior and senior season.

Loyola ended last season ranked in the top 10 of the national coaches poll and national media poll after reaching the MIVA Tournament finals. The Ramblers return multiple all-conference starters, including 2018 MIVA Freshman of the Year setter Garrett Zolg.